‘Soul Train’ creator Cornelius dead in apparent suicide

This March 6, 2006, file photo shows former host of the television show “Soul Train,” Don Cornelius at his office in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)

Soul Train creator Don Cornelius was found dead at his Sherman Oaks, Calif., on home Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.

Law enforcement sources said police arrived at Cornelius’ home around 4 a.m. He apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing.

The sources said there was no sign of foul play, but the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating.

CNN is reporting that Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said Wednesday that Cornelius died of a gunshot wound at a house on Mullholland Drive.

A coroner says he was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Associated Press is reporting.

Cornelius, born in Chicago in 1936, is best known as the creator and host of Soul Train, which began in Chicago as a local program in 1970 and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006.

Cornelius recognized that in the late 1960s there was no television venue in the United States for soul music, and introduced many African-American musicians to a larger audience as a result of their appearances on Soul Train, a program that was both influential among African-Americans and popular with a wider audience.

As writer, producer, and host of Soul Train, Cornelius was instrumental in offering wider exposure to black musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers that would presage subsequent television dance programs.

Cornelius had a deep, honeyed voice, and closed each show saying, “we wish you love, peace and soul!”